Understanding Happiness

Happiness doesn't come easily for everyone. For me, maintaining a state of contentment often requires deliberate effort. Perhaps it's due to an unusual baseline or mental hurdles. While I've found methods to cope better over time, happiness still feels like an elusive ability that often escapes me.

Everyone seeks happiness; we yearn for those delightful moments filled with joy and pleasure. However, here's a sobering reality: we are not inherently designed for happiness, at least not in the typical sense. Research indicates that placing a high value on happiness as a life objective can actually heighten the risk of depression. In discussing a 2020 study on this relationship, psychologist Julia Vogt observed that:

… a notable difference exists between English-speaking Western cultures and other societies regarding how our internal pursuit of happiness influences our emotions and experiences.

Is this disparity a product of the individualism prevalent in many Western cultures? Perhaps it's the overwhelming consumerism that engulfs us? Or do we often rely on flawed comparisons—like other people's financial success, appearances, or social media popularity—and subsequently feel inadequate?

When we express a desire for happiness, do we even fully understand what we seek? Likely not as much as we believe. Research shows that we struggle to accurately predict what will bring us joy, a phenomenon known as "miswanting." Not only are we generally poor at identifying our true desires, but we also misjudge how happy those desires will make us. To put it in psychological terms, we are often incorrect in forecasting our future emotional states.

But, wait—some individuals seem to excel at finding joy. Perhaps you are one of them.

It must be in their genes, right?

Let's dive into the metaphor of pie.

The Nature of Happiness

In discussions about the interplay of genetics and environment on happiness, a specific pie chart has gained notoriety. Originating from a comprehensive 2005 review, this pie attempts to quantify the primary factors influencing happiness:

You may have encountered this before. The notion that 50% of our happiness is dictated by genetics has been widely circulated, suggesting that the remaining half is within our control. However, this interpretation is misleading. Even the authors of the original study clarified that the pie chart reflects population-level happiness variances, not individual happiness levels.

In simpler terms, while genetic factors might account for 50% of the differences in happiness among individuals, this doesn't translate to a definitive measure of anyone's personal happiness. It’s a broad observation rather than a precise gauge. The influences of nature and nurture are intertwined, shaping our experiences and emotions in complex ways.

Picture this: you might be genetically predisposed to gain muscle mass, but without engaging in weight training and proper nutrition, you’ll never discover your true potential. Happiness operates similarly. You may possess the genetic foundation for deep joy, but you need the right circumstances and actions to unlock it.

So, think of happiness as a smoothie rather than a pie.

The Role of Action

Now that we've discussed genetics and happiness, let's turn our attention to a concept related to effort: the hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation. Simply put, we grow accustomed to our experiences. The joy derived from something new tends to fade quickly, leading us to seek the next thrill. This quick return to a baseline feeling indicates an individual happiness "set point."

However, this idea is overly simplistic. A treadmill has various settings for speed and incline, and similarly, our happiness levels fluctuate. Research suggests that we have multiple happiness baselines that can change based on circumstances.

Here are some key insights:

1. Happiness Baselines Vary: Individuals have different emotional baselines, which can correlate with personality traits.
2. Multiple Baselines Exist: A single person might experience various emotional baselines simultaneously, such as feeling content while also experiencing sadness.
3. Baselines are Changeable: Life events, like marriage or job loss, can lead to shifts in happiness levels. While many rebound quickly, not everyone returns to their previous state.
4. Adaptation Varies: People differ in how they adapt to positive or negative experiences. For instance, those with higher levels of neuroticism may struggle more to bounce back from negative events.

The takeaway? Your happiness baselines are not fixed.

So, how can we shift them positively? The Harvard Study of Adult Development, renowned for its exploration of human happiness, found that nurturing strong social relationships is the most significant factor in enhancing individual happiness. Quality of relationships matters more than quantity, so introverts need not fret.

Other strategies for sustainably increasing happiness include practicing gratitude, pursuing personal goals, and performing random acts of kindness. Yes, kindness not only boosts your happiness but also positively impacts those around you. In the realm of happiness, caring for others might be more crucial than self-care.

Moreover, engaging in physical activity—even as little as 10 minutes a week—can elevate happiness levels. Exercise not only releases endorphins but also fosters social connections and contributes to overall well-being.

In essence, while happiness is straightforward, it can also be challenging to achieve. Fortunately, the ingredients of our "smoothie" can be adjusted, and we can manipulate the "treadmill" settings to foster greater joy in our lives.

As Abraham Lincoln, who likely faced his own struggles with depression, wisely stated:

"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be."

It seems that I, too, must make a choice.